Bill Paxton in “The Hatfields & the McCoys” (Provided by The History Channel)

History Channel, which scored with “The Hatfields & the McCoys”[1] last year, has set its sights on “Texas Rising,” an eight-hour miniseries with an all-star cast. Bill Paxton (pictured) is again in the lead.

Paxton (“Big Love”), who earned an Emmy nomination for his role in “Hatfields,” heads the cast as Sam Houston. Fraser (“The Mummy”) will play Billy Anderson, a Texas Ranger with Comanche Indian Ties. Thieriot (“Bates Motel”) plays Jack Hays, a volunteer freedom fighter who becomes the youngest Texas Ranger.